Ada Packer McConnaughey 1848-1908

PACKER, MCCONNAUGHEY

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 7/11/2014 at 07:18:52

Ada Packer was born near Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Dec. 7, 1848, the third daughter of Thos. V. and Margaret L. Packer. She was a bright healthy child and was a happy pupil in the excellent schools taught by Edward Van Cise, Eli Beard and Elwood Macy. She taught several terms and then entered Whittier College and finished her course in the class of '73 while D. S. Wright was principal.

Oct. 14, 1873, she was married to Thomas H. McConnaughey, Rev. Pickett officiating, and her highest ambition was centered in her home, her best efforts were given to the welfare of her "beloveds," – – her husband and her idolized son Darrell.

She and her husband were charter members of Bethlehem Chap. O. E. S. at Mt. Pleasant. She was a charter member of Chapter A. B., P. E. O. at Bonaparte, Iowa, and an earnest worker in the sisterhood.

For many years she was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was especially happy as a member of the choir and in furnishing from her own windows flowers for the church services.

Her gifted pen furnished many short articles and poems for special occasions and for publication.

During the four years of her husband's last illness, she and Darryl cared for him with heroic devotion and tenderness, until their brave patient soldier was released from suffering, July 17, 1903.

Soon after this, Darrell found employment with the Santa Fe R.R. and she returned to teaching.

After the loss of her son Donald in 1876, she had been principal of the school at Rome for several years and being always a student and greatly interested in literature, she naturally returned again to teaching and spent two pleasant years in an ungraded school and two years at Mt. Pleasant in 7th grade. She was a conscientious teacher and energetic and enthusiastic in her work always a sympathetic friend to every pupil, wherever she taught.

Last September she accepted the principalship of the Burlington, Wyoming school and found her new field delightful in many ways. The sunshiny weather, the grand mountain scenery, the cordial hospitality of the people, the fine equipment of her school, and the eagerness of her pupils to learn, – – all combined to make her stay with them delightful.

But a severe form of lagrippe prevailed in midwinter and she was among the last to be attacked, she rallied however and returned to spend seven days more among her beloved pupils and then the fatal release came.

By making all possible haste, her son reached her in time for brief recognition and that in spite of medical skill had tenderest care, on Wednesday night, March 11, 1908, the tired mother fell asleep.

Funeral services were held at the same 11 Cong'l church Sunday at 2:30 P. M. conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. T. Butcher, who spoke very feelingly from the text "Why Weepest Thou," John 20:13. He was assisted in the services by Rev. Hightshoe. A large concourse of people were present and the members of Whittier Alumni and the Order of Eastern Star marched in a body from the house to the church and from there to the Friends' Cemetery, where deceased was laid to rest to await the "resurrection morn," amid a profusion of beautiful flowers, typical of the life and character of the departed one.

Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA